Situated in the heart of Europe, Brussels is a welcoming city which is ideal for hanging out with your family. With vibrant working-class neighborhoods, ultramodern European institutions and trendy neighborhoods, Brussels offers a thousand and one facets to travelers who make out time to visit them. Follow the guide and discover all the Little Guest’s favorite addresses.
1 – The best HoTEL
Amigo: The Amigo Hotel is a family owned hotel that’s designed for families. As soon as you arrive at the lobby of the Amigo Hotel, you will immediately feel this blend of ancient prestige and contemporary comfort. Near the reception, comfortable red velvet sofas invite you to sit down for a few moments. If you look around, you will be able to see the splendid Flemish tapestries, the charcoal drawings hanging on the walls, but above all the majestic stone slabs that adorn the entrance. These stones have survived the centuries and have been part of the building since 1620.
2 – The best RESTAURANTS
Chalet Robinson: The Chalet Robinson is nestled in the middle of a lot that’s located in the bois de la Cambre and is only accessible by boat. Its refined cuisine and the idyllic setting make up the facility’s reputation. The spaced-out tables offer a comfortable passage for baby-buggies and children are delighted by the pedal boats available for hire at just a stone’s throw from the facility. Itinerary
Comme Chez Soi : Being a Belgian gastronomic hotspot and a two Michelin-star venue, Comme Chez Soi welcomes young and old in an Art Nouveau atmosphere, inspired by the creations of Baron Horta. The open kitchen and dishes of Lionel Rigolet will certainly amaze all gourmets. Itinerary
La Fabbrica : The restaurant wherein you can brunch every Sunday morning with your children sounds like a commonplace. Located in the Royal Depot at Tour & Taxis, La Fabbrica serves authentic and succulent Italian cuisine while jugglers entertain the little ones. The little ones love the sessions of face-painting, cinema, drawing and sometimes even the jumps on the bouncy castle! Itinerary
3 – The best breweries
C’est bon c’est belge : Being both a delicatessen and a restaurant, the C’est bon c’est belge brand mainly highlights the use of local products of the Flat Country, the ketjes (children in Brussels) are not left out, with a menu that is suitable to their taste and their dietary requirements. Chicons au gratin and homemade vol-au-vents make up the strong values of the menu. Itinerary
La Tricoterie : La Tricoterie, Fabrique de liens, offers brunch that is made from local and seasonal products and, that’s above all, suitable for the little ones. An entertainment/activities hall is available for children’s fun and awakening. In addition, La Tricoterie regularly offers cultural activities for the little ones. Itinerary
Houtsiplou : with colorful decoration and balanced menus, Houtsiplou offers quality Belgian cuisine to both the young and old gourmets. The burgers are prepared with care and offer blends of original flavors. The Little Guest favorite is the Cocotte, a must experience! Itinerary
Children can discover the world of Belgian comics at the Amigo Hotel!
4 – The best BARS
La Mort Subite : An emblematic address at the center of Brussels, run by the Vossen family for 4 generations, La Mort Subite is the ideal rest point for savoring the Belgian beers. You can equally savor a croque-monsieur with Ardennes ham in an Art-Nouveau-classified decoration. Itinerary
Brasserie de la Patinoire : with an open-air roller-skating track and playground with 5 modules in the Bois de la Cambre, just in front of the restaurant, La Patinoire bar is the ideal combination for pleasing both parents and children. A unique site at the Bois de la Cambre where your children can do their skating on tracks, play petanque, go for a pony ride, enjoy the large playground and sandbox. A self-service offers a variety of quality products for lunch, snack or to simply quench your thirst. Itinerary
5 – The best museums
MIM : Internationally recognized for both the number and the variety of objects on display, MIM offers children’s activities that enables them to discover the world of classical music while having fun. On the tenth floor, its panoramic terrace offers a breathtaking view of the entire capital. Itinerary
Musée des Sciences Naturelles (Natural Sciences Museum): The young and old can explore the plant and animal life at this Musée des Sciences Naturelles that has been opened since 1846 and is located at just a few minutes’ walk from the European institutions. The menu’s must-see specimens include the entire skeleton of a giant whale in the hall, as well as the room reserved for dinosaurs, which includes the famous iguanodons of Bernissart. Itinerary
Musée des costumes de Manneken-Pis (Manneken-Pis Costume Museum): The little boy who pee is adorned, for various occasions, with folk and traditional costumes, these costumes can be seen at the Costume Museum, which is just a stone’s throw away from the small statue. The red devil or the gille de Binche costumes, be sure to explore the wardrobe of the most famous Brussels boy. Itinerary
Musée Magritte (Magritte Museum): The must-see Musée Magritte offers specially designed audio-guided tours for children (between 6 to 11 years old) and teenagers (between 12 to 18years old). The educational tour will plunge them into the fascinating world of Belgian surrealism. Itinerary
Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts (Royal Museums of Fine Arts): A remarkable collection of ancient art, a testament of a rich past, spanning through the fifteenth to the eighteenth-century periods. At the Musées royaux des beaux-arts, you will discover paintings of exceptional value by the Flemish Primitives and many Flemish Renaissance and Baroque artists: Memling, Bosch, Bruegel, Rubens, Van Dyck, Jordaens, etc. Art history lovers, on their parts will be thrilled by this new « century’s end » museum, dedicated to the 1900s, when Brussels, the capital of Europe, was a unique artistic crossroads and capital of Art Nouveau (the new art). This cultural history hotspot is home to paintings, drawings, watercolors, engravings, sculptures, photos, films, models and decorative arts objects. Itinerary
Musée des enfants (Children’s Museum): Unique in Belgium, the mission of the Children Museum is to awaken the curiosity of its small visitors. Designed for children between 6 to 12 years old, each exhibition is intended to be participative and fun. The goal: to make our toddlers discover the world around us through games and scenarios. Itinerary
6 – The best visit sites
The Sablon district: Sablon is a hotspot of the Brussels life. Here, antiquarians are located closed to jewelers and luxury boutiques. Little Guest recommends that you stop by Richard, the district’s iconic tavern, before exploring the façade with the charming décor of the chocolatier, Pierre Marcolini, and tasting his macaroons.
Jeanneke-Pis and Zinneke Pis: The Manneken Pis is not the only statue of its kind in Brussels! Jeanneke Pis, her sister, finds herself in the impasse of Fidelity. Zinneke Pis is found at rue des Chartreux.
Parcours BD (Comic strip route): For more than ten years, the streets of Brussels have been displaying the works of Franco-Belgian cartoonists, fathers of the most read comic strips by our parents and grandparents. A fun way of (re)discovering the city with young children. Some thirty frescoes await you! See them all on the official website of the comic strip routes.
Mini Europe: Want to visit the entirety of Europe in half a day? It’s possible in Mini-Europe. The park has the most beautiful monuments of the old continent in miniature. A children’s course explaining the birth and the mission of the European Union is also included in the visit. A little far from the center, is a must-see for those who intend to visit the Atomium, located a stone’s throw from the park. Itinerary
The walls of Brussels’ streets have the most beautiful creations of the Franco-Belgian cartoonists
7 – The best shopping destinations
Danseart: The Danseart district is the rallying point for enthusiasts of Belgian fashion and designs. Stijl, the iconic shop that was the first to sell Martin Margiela, Raf Simons and Dries Van Noten, has for more than 25 years been in the middle of Danseart Street. A little further down the road, the Maison Margiela boutique opens its doors to fashion-victims.
Boulevard de Waterloo (Waterloo Boulevard): The most beautiful luxury boutiques line up on the boulevard de Waterloo, ideal for shopping at Delvaux, Cartier, Hermes or Dior before unwinding yourself at Egmont Park (Parc d’Egmont), a haven of peace and greenery amidst the hustle and bustle of the capital.
Rue du Lombard: Not far from the Grand Place, Fleur et Flo offers a large selection of Kids clothes. Among the brands present therein are Moncler, Kenzo or Givenchy.
8 – The best chocolate shops
Pierre Marcolini: In addition to chocolates and pralines, the cocoa superstar, Pierre Marcolini offers, original creations: from financiers to macaroons, there is something for everyone.
Neuhaus: Being the inventor of praline, Neuhaus is a center for lovers of sweet treats. Young and old feast on white chocolate manons, the mythical pralines of the house.
Benoit Nihant: A more confidential address, Benoit Nihant offers an impressive diversity of great vintage chocolate. We recommend to you the Sensations box from the Haute-Couture collection, which contains all the products in the double range, perfect to sharing!
9 – the best ice-creams and CRÊPERIES
Gaston: Located in Sainte Catherine’s Square, Gaston produces its ice creams in an artisanal way, using quality products. The ice-cream parlor also offers waffles and pancakes that will delight both toddlers and their parents. Itinerary
La maison de la crêpe (the Crepe house): Located besides the Grand Place, the crepe house is a favorite stop for a family snack. Be it with butter or chocolate, homemade pancakes are the delight of the entire family. Itinerary
Romaric, 25 years old, photography lover, from Brussels, Belgium
